A Case of Platelet Satellitism with Platelet Phagocytosis by Neutrophils and Platelet-neutrophil Agglutination.
- Author:
Kui Hyun YOON
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Platelet satellitism; Platelet phagocytosis; Platelet-neutrophil agglutination
- MeSH: Agglutination; Blood Cells; Blood Platelets; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Edetic Acid; Flank Pain; Korea; Monocytes; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Plasma
- From:Laboratory Medicine Online 2013;3(4):259-263
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: Platelet satellitism is a rare phenomenon in which platelets adhere to the surface of neutrophils; in addition, platelet phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes is rare event. Although its clinical significance and pathophysiology are still unclear, platelet-neutrophil agglutination seems to be the end point of a process that is initiated by platelet satellitism and causes pseudothrombocytopenia and pseudoneutropenia. Differentiating pseudothrombocytopenia is essential to avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and treatments. This report describes an unusual case of a 64 yr old man who presented with left flank pain and pseudothrombocytopenia, which was caused by platelet satellitism with platelet phagocytosis by neutrophils and platelet-neutrophil agglutination. Platelet satellitism occurred in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at room temperature or 4degrees C, but not at 37degrees C; however, platelet-neutrophil agglutination and pseudoleukopenia were observed in EDTA-treated blood only after a 2-hr incubation period at room temperature. Additionally, platelet satellitism could be induced in packed blood cells from a normal individual during a mixing assay with this patient's plasma. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first reported case of platelet satellitism with platelet phagocytosis by neutrophils and platelet-neutrophil agglutination in Korea.
